JP7466122B2 - Handlebar switch device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a switch device for handlebars that includes a switch case that is fixed to the handlebars of a vehicle that has a grip, and an operating switch that is attached to the switch case and can operate various electrical devices mounted on the vehicle.

Two-wheeled vehicles, ATVs, and the like are generally equipped with handlebars for steering, with grips attached to both ends of the handlebars that the driver can hold while driving. A handlebar switch device is fixed adjacent to the grips, and is formed with multiple operation switches for operating the various electrical devices mounted on the two-wheeled vehicle. For example, conventional handlebar switch devices include switches for starting and stopping the engine, dimmer switches, as well as turn signal switches and horn switches.

Incidentally, in the past, as disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2, handlebar switch devices have been proposed that are equipped with indicators that can display vehicle information. With such conventional handlebar switch devices, specific vehicle information (such as shift information) can be displayed on the switch case to notify the driver.

JP 2020-6771 A Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-78733

However, while conventional handlebar switch devices can display predetermined information on a switch case, they have the drawback of limiting the information that can be notified because specific information is displayed on an indicator. In addition, because an indicator is required to display specific information, the switch case becomes larger and there is a risk that the layout of the operating switches arranged in the switch case may be restricted.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a switch device for handlebars that can arbitrarily notify various information, and that can increase the freedom of layout of the operating switch while preventing the switch case from becoming too large.

The invention described in claim 1 is a switch device for handlebars comprising a switch case fixed to a handlebar of a vehicle having a grip, and an operating unit attached to the switch case and capable of operating various electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle, characterized in that the switch device is provided with a light-emitting means which emits light with different light colors or forms depending on information to be notified to a driver, and the light-emitting means is capable of illuminating a light-emitting portion formed to conform to the shape of the periphery of the operating unit, and the light-emitting portion is formed to conform to the shape of the periphery spanning a plurality of the operating units .

The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the handlebar switch device described in claim 1 , a plurality of the light-emitting portions are formed on the periphery of the operating portion, and the light-emitting means comprises a plurality of LEDs respectively arranged corresponding to each of the light-emitting portions, and each of the plurality of light-emitting portions can be made to emit light independently.

The invention described in claim 3 is a handlebar switch device described in claim 2 , characterized in that the light-emitting portion is made of a predetermined portion of a single light guide that can guide the light of the light-emitting means to the peripheral portion of the operating portion and emit light.

The invention described in claim 4 is a switch device for handlebars described in any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the light-emitting means emits light to notify the state of the vehicle being driven by the driver, the state of other vehicles surrounding the vehicle, or the state of personal belongings carried by the driver.

According to the invention of claim 1, the device is equipped with a light-emitting means that emits light in different colors or forms depending on the information to be notified to the driver, so various information can be arbitrarily notified, and the freedom of layout of the operating switch can be improved while preventing the switch case from becoming too large.

Furthermore , the light-emitting means is capable of illuminating a light-emitting portion formed to conform to the shape of the peripheral portion of the operating unit, so that various information can be arbitrarily notified by utilizing the peripheral portion of the operating unit, and the degree of freedom in the layout of the operating switch can be further improved.

According to the invention of claim 2 , a plurality of light-emitting sites are formed on the peripheral portion of the operating unit, and the light-emitting means consists of a plurality of LEDs arranged corresponding to each of the light-emitting sites, and each of the plurality of light-emitting sites can be made to emit light independently, so that any information can be displayed at the plurality of light-emitting sites by utilizing the peripheral portion of the operating unit.

According to the invention of claim 3 , the light-emitting portion is made of a specific portion of a single light guide that can guide the light from the light-emitting means to the peripheral portion of the operating portion and emit light, so that the multiple light-emitting portions can be made to emit light independently without increasing the number of parts.

According to the invention of claim 4 , the light-emitting means emits light to indicate the status of the vehicle being driven by the driver, the status of other vehicles surrounding the vehicle, or the status of personal belongings carried by the driver, thereby making it possible to notify the driver of various types of information that should be notified.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a handlebar switch device (near a left-hand grip) according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing the handlebar switch device. FIG. 2 is a top view showing the handlebar switch device; IV-IV line cross-sectional view in FIG. Cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 1A and 1B are front and side views showing a state in which an upper switch case is removed from the handlebar switch device; FIG. 1 is a bottom view showing a state in which an upper switch case is removed from the handlebar switch device; FIG. 2 is a top view showing a state in which an upper switch case is removed from the handlebar switch device; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an upper switch case is removed from the handlebar switch device; A single-item drawing showing a vibration means in the handlebar switch device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a fixing member of the handlebar switch device is fixed to the handlebar; FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the fixing member is fixed to a handlebar. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vibration means is attached to the fixed member. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the fixing member (first mounting bracket); FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the fixing member (second mounting bracket); FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between a switch knob and an LED in the handlebar switch device; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a substrate on which an LED is attached in the handlebar switch device; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a light guide in the handlebar switch device; FIG. 3 is a three-view diagram showing the light guide body. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting state of a turn signal display unit when a right turn signal lamp in the handlebar switch device is turned on; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a lighting state of a turn signal display unit when a left turn signal lamp in the handlebar switch device is turned on; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another lighting state of the turn signal display unit when the right turn signal lamp in the handlebar switch device is turned on; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing another lighting state of the turn signal display unit when the left turn signal lamp in the handlebar switch device is turned on; FIG. 1 is a front view showing the appearance of a handlebar switch device according to an embodiment of the present invention (in the vicinity of a right-hand grip);

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The handlebar switch device 1 according to this embodiment is applied to a vehicle such as a two-wheeled vehicle, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 , is configured to include a switch case 2 fixed to a handlebar H of a vehicle on which a grip (left-hand grip Ga) is formed, operation knobs (N1 to N13) (operation portion) attached to the switch case 2 and capable of operating various electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle, a first mounting bracket 3 and a second mounting bracket 4 which constitute a fixing member, vibration means 5, a turn signal display unit 6, and LEDs (L1 to L9).

The switch case 2 is made by molding a specified material and is constructed by fitting together an upper switch case 2a and a lower switch case 2b, which are split in half. Openings are formed in specified positions in the switch case 2, and operation knobs (N1-N13) (switch knobs) are attached to each opening as operation units. These operation knobs (N1-N13) constitute operation switches that operate various electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle, such as headlights and turn signal lamps, and can be operated by the driver by swinging or pressing them.

Specifically, the operation knobs (N1, N2) are knobs for operating the traction control system, the operation knobs (N3, N4) are knobs for operating the mode system, the operation knobs (N5 to N7) are knobs for operating the cruise control system, the operation knob N8 is a hazard switch knob that can blink both the left and right turn signal lamps of the vehicle, the operation knob N9 is a knob for operating the vehicle's constant-on lamps, and the operation knob N10 constitutes a dimmer operation knob that can switch the vehicle's headlights between forward illumination and downward illumination.

The operation knob N11 is a turn signal switch knob that can selectively flash either the left or right turn signal lamp of the vehicle, and the operation knob N12 is a horn switch knob that operates the vehicle's horn. The operation knob 13 is a meter operation switch knob for operating the display of the vehicle's display unit, etc., and operation knobs N13b (e.g., selection switches) are formed above, below, left and right of the operation knob 13a (e.g., a decision switch).

As shown in Figures 6 to 9, inside the switch case 2, there are arranged a storage case C1 that stores the board 11, a storage case C2 that stores the board 12, a storage case C3 that stores the board 13, and a storage case C4 that stores the board 14. Each board (11 to 14) is fitted with a tact switch that turns on or off in response to the operation of the operation knob (N1 to N13), and an LED (L1 to L9) that lights up the operation knob (N1 to N13).

In this embodiment, the boards (11-14) are electrically connected to each other and to the vehicle's control means 10 via connector C (see FIG. 9). As a result, when a specific tact switch is turned on by operating the operation knobs (N1-N13), the signal is transmitted to the control means 10, and the desired electrical equipment installed in the vehicle can be operated.

The first mounting bracket 3 and the second mounting bracket 4, which serve as fixing members, can be connected to the handlebar H to fix the switch case 2 to the handlebar H, and can be fixed along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar H, as shown in Figs. 11 to 13. As shown in Fig. 14, the first mounting bracket 3 is made of a metal member having a contact surface 3a that can come into contact with the vibration means 5, fixing holes 3b and 3c through which bolts B1 and B2 can be inserted to integrate the first mounting bracket 3 with the second mounting bracket 4, a pin insertion hole 3d through which a fixing pin P (Figs. 4, 11, and 13) can be inserted for fixing, mounting holes (3e to 3g) through which mounting screws can be inserted to fix the first mounting bracket 3 to the switch case 2, and an abutment surface 3h formed in an arc shape following the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar H.

As shown in FIG. 15, the second mounting bracket 4 is made of a metal member having fixing holes 4a, 4b through which bolts B1, B2 for integrating it with the first mounting bracket 3 can be inserted, mounting holes 4c, 4d through which mounting screws for fixing the second mounting bracket 4 to the switch case 2 can be inserted, and an abutment surface 4e formed in an arc shape following the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar H. Then, after inserting a fixing pin P into the pin insertion hole 3d, the first mounting bracket 3 is fixed to the switch case 2 by inserting mounting screws into the mounting holes (3e-3g), and the second mounting bracket 4 is fixed to the switch case 2 by inserting mounting screws into the mounting holes 4c, 4d.

In this state, the first mounting bracket 3 and the second mounting bracket 4 are integrated with the bolts B1 and B2, and as shown in Figure 4, the abutment surface 3h of the first mounting bracket 3 and the abutment surface 4e of the second mounting bracket 4 abut along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar H, and the fixing pin P fits into the pin hole Ha of the handlebar H, thereby fixing the switch case 2 to the handlebar H via the first mounting bracket 3 and the second mounting bracket 4. This makes it possible to avoid damage or deformation of the switch case 2 even if an overload is applied when attaching the switch case 2 to the handlebar H.

Furthermore, the switch case 2 according to this embodiment houses a vibration means 5 capable of vibrating the handlebar H. The vibration means 5 is activated by energization to generate vibrations, and as shown in FIG. 10, is configured with a pair of mounting protrusions 5a and mounting holes 5b. Then, a mounting screw is inserted into the mounting holes 5b to fix the vibration means 5 at a predetermined position in the switch case 2 (e.g., a predetermined portion of the connector C), and the first mounting fixture 3a is inserted between the mounting protrusions 5a to position and contact the vibration means 5.

However, when the vibration means 5 is fixed inside the switch case 2, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, the vibration means 5 is attached in contact with the contact surface 3a of the first mounting bracket 3. Therefore, by activating the vibration means 5, the handlebar H can be vibrated via the first mounting bracket 3 and the second mounting bracket 4, and the vibration is transmitted to the grip Ga, enabling it to vibrate. In other words, the vibration means 5 according to this embodiment is housed inside the handlebar 2, and is capable of vibrating the grip Ga via the handlebar H.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the switch case 2 on which the operating parts (operating knobs N1 to N13) and vibration means 5 constituting the handlebar switch device 1 are formed is attached to the right end of the handlebar H, and as shown in FIG. 24, the switch case 2' on which the operating parts (Na, Nb) and vibration means 5 constituting the handlebar switch device 1' are formed is attached to the right end of the handlebar H.

The vibration means 5 of the left handlebar switch device 1 and the vibration means 5 of the right handlebar switch device 1' are each configured to be vibrated under the control of the control means 10. As a result, the vibration means 5 is attached to each of the left handlebar switch device 1 and the right handlebar switch device 1', and is controlled by the control means 10 to selectively vibrate the right grip Ga and the left grip Gb of the handlebar H via the handlebar H.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the turn signal switch knob N11 according to this embodiment can be swung left and right (in the direction indicated by a in the figure) around axis α, and is configured so that swung leftward to turn on tact switch T1 to flash the left turn signal mounted on the vehicle, and swung rightward to turn on tact switch T2 to flash the right turn signal mounted on the vehicle.

Furthermore, the turn signal switch knob N11 according to this embodiment can be pressed in the direction b in the figure, and by pressing it, the tactile switch T3 is turned on, the turn signal operation is cancelled, and the blinking of the turn signal lamps is stopped. It is noted that by operating the hazard switch knob N8, both the left and right turn signal lamps of the vehicle can be made to blink.

The vibration means 5 according to this embodiment is configured to vibrate the left-hand grip Ga when the turn signal switch knob N11 is operated to blink the left turn signal lamp (pivot operation to the left), and to vibrate the right-hand grip Gb when the turn signal switch knob N11 is operated to blink the right turn signal lamp (pivot operation to the right).

In other words, when the turn signal switch knob N11 is operated to blink the left turn signal lamp (pivot to the left), the control means 10 activates the vibration means 5 of the left handlebar switch device 1 to vibrate the left grip Ga, and when the turn signal switch knob N11 is operated to blink the right turn signal lamp (pivot to the right), the control means 10 activates the vibration means 5 of the right handlebar switch device 1' to vibrate the right grip Ga.

Therefore, according to the vibration means 5 of this embodiment, when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to the left, the left grip Ga is vibrated, and when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to the right, the right grip Gb is vibrated, so that the blinking of the turn signal lamp caused by the turn signal switch knob N11 can be transmitted to the driver's hand and notified intuitively.

In addition, the vibration means 5 according to this embodiment is configured to operate under other conditions in addition to the operation of the turn signal switch knob N11, and to vibrate the left hand grip Ga or the right hand grip Gb. For example, if the vehicle is equipped with a navigation system, the left hand grip Ga can be vibrated when the guidance direction is to the left, and the right hand grip Gb can be vibrated when the guidance direction is to the right.

In addition, in the case of a vehicle that can be wirelessly connected to a portable item such as a smartphone carried by the driver, when a call is received on the smartphone, either or both of the left grip Ga and the right grip Gb can be vibrated to alert the driver. Furthermore, in the case of a vehicle that can monitor the rear using a laser, when the presence of a following vehicle is detected in the rear vicinity, either or both of the left grip Ga and the right grip Gb can be vibrated to alert the driver.

Furthermore, when the traction control system is activated and wheel spin is detected, either one or both of the left grip Ga and right grip Gb can be vibrated to notify the driver. Also, when the auto-cruise system is in use and lane departure is detected, the grip Ga, Gb on the departure side can be vibrated to notify the driver. It is preferable that the vibration means 5 varies the timing, strength, or pattern of vibration depending on the information to be notified to the driver.

On the other hand, LEDs (L1 to L9) that illuminate the operation knobs (N1 to N13) are attached to the boards (11 to 14) on which the tactile switches of the operation knobs (N1 to N13) are attached. That is, the LEDs (L1 to L9) are located below the operation knobs (N1 to N13), and the operation knobs (N1 to N13) display characters or figures indicating the operation content, and the display parts are transparent or translucent so that the light emitted from the LEDs (L1 to L9) can pass through.

For example, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, LEDs (L1 to L7) corresponding to each of the operation knobs (N1 to N7) are formed on the board 12 on which the tactile switches of the operation knobs (N1 to N7) are attached, and when these LEDs (L1 to L7) are lit, a part (display part) of the operation knob (N1 to N7) can emit light in a specified color. This improves the decorative effect and allows the display content to be seen even in a dark environment.

Furthermore, LEDs (L8, L9) are attached to the board 12 according to this embodiment as light-emitting means. These LEDs (L8, L9) are made of light sources capable of emitting light when energized, and are capable of independently emitting light from a plurality of light-emitting sites (two light-emitting sites (7, 8) in this embodiment) formed along the periphery of the operation knobs (N5 to N7). Specifically, light-emitting site 7 is formed along the periphery between the operation knobs N5 and N6, and light-emitting site 8 is formed along the periphery between the operation knobs N5 and N7. When the LED (L8) is turned on, the light-emitting site 7 emits light, and when the LED (L9) is turned on, the light-emitting site 8 emits light.

The light emitting parts 7 and 8 according to this embodiment are made up of a predetermined part of a single light guide 9 that can guide the light of the LED (L8, L9) (light emitting means) to the periphery of the operation knob (N5 to N7) (operation part) to emit light. That is, as shown in Figs. 18 and 19, the light guide 9 is made up of a single lens member having a first receiving part 9a that faces the LED (L8) and receives its light, a second receiving part 9b that faces the LED (L9) and receives its light, the light emitting part 7 located along the periphery between the operation knob N5 and the operation knob N6, and the light emitting part 8 located along the periphery between the operation knob N5 and the operation knob N7, and is configured to guide the light of the LED (L8) from the first receiving part 9a to the light emitting part 7 to emit light, and to guide the light of the LED (L9) from the second receiving part 9b to the light emitting part 8 to emit light.

The LEDs (L8, L9) serving as the light-emitting means in this embodiment emit light in different colors or forms depending on the information to be notified to the driver. For example, the LEDs (L8, L9) irradiate light of a predetermined color to cause the light-emitting parts (7, 8) to emit light of a predetermined color, thereby notifying the driver of the state of the vehicle (the state of the traction control system or mode system, the state of the engine or transmission, etc.), the state of other vehicles surrounding the vehicle (the presence of other vehicles following behind due to rearward monitoring using a laser, etc.), or the state of personal belongings carried by the driver (such as incoming calls on a wirelessly connected smartphone).

As shown in Figs. 2 and 7, the turn signal display unit 6 is formed in a position adjacent to the turn signal switch knob N11 in the switch case 2 (lower switch case 2b), and is configured with three or more light display units (in this embodiment, three light display units: the left light display unit 6a, the central light display unit 6b, and the right light display unit 6c) formed in the width direction of the switch case 1 (left-right direction in Figs. 2 and 7). LEDs corresponding to the right light display unit 6a, the central light display unit 6b, and the right light display unit 6c are attached to the board 11, and can be lit or flashed independently.

The turn signal display unit 6 according to this embodiment is configured to sequentially light up to the left side on the condition that the left turn signal lamp is turned on and off by the turn signal switch knob N11 (swinging to the left), and sequentially light up to the right side on the condition that the right turn signal lamp is turned on and off by the turn signal switch knob N11 (swinging to the right). That is, when the left turn signal lamp is turned on and off by the turn signal switch knob N11, the right turn signal lamp is turned on and off in order from the right lighting display unit 6c to the left lighting display unit 6a, and when the right turn signal lamp is turned on and off by the turn signal switch knob N11, the left lighting display unit 6a is turned on and off in order from the right lighting display unit 6c to the right lighting display unit 6c, and a display is made as if the light is flowing to the right.

More specifically, when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to the right to cause the right turn signal lamp to flash, as time passes, as shown in FIG. 20, only the left lighting display unit 6a lights up (FIG. 20(a)), the left lighting display unit 6a and the central lighting display unit 6b light up (FIG. 20(b)), the left lighting display unit 6a, the central lighting display unit 6b, and the right lighting display unit 6c all light up (FIG. 20(c)), only the left lighting display unit 6a is turned off (FIG. 20(d)), the left lighting display unit 6a and the central lighting display unit 6b are turned off (FIG. 20(e)), and the left lighting display unit 6a, the central lighting display unit 6b, and the right lighting display unit 6c all turn off (FIG. 20(f)). The LEDs are controlled so that the light flows (moves sequentially) from left to right.

When the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to the left to flash the left turn signal lamp, as shown in FIG. 21, over time, only the right lighting display unit 6c is lit (FIG. 21(a)), the right lighting display unit 6c and the central lighting display unit 6b are lit (FIG. 21(b)), the right lighting display unit 6c, the central lighting display unit 6b, and the left lighting display unit 6a are all lit (FIG. 21(c), only the right lighting display unit 6c is turned off (FIG. 21(d)), the right lighting display unit 6a and the central lighting display unit 6b are turned off (FIG. 21(e)), and the right lighting display unit 6c, the central lighting display unit 6b, and the left lighting display unit 6a are all turned off (FIG. 21(f)). The LEDs are controlled so that the light flows (moves sequentially) from right to left.

Furthermore, it is preferable that all turn signal display units 6 (left side light display unit 6a, center light display unit 6b, and right side light display unit 6c) are simultaneously lit or flashed on the condition that the hazard switch knob N8 is operated. After the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to either the left or right, the turn signal switch knob N11 is pressed to stop the flashing of the turn signal lamps (cancel the turn signal switch operation), or after pressing the hazard switch knob N8, the hazard switch knob N8 is pressed again to turn off all turn signal display units 6 (left side light display unit 6a, center light display unit 6b, and right side light display unit 6c).

On the other hand, the display form of the turn signal display unit 6 when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung is not limited to the above, and may be, for example, as shown in Figs. 22 and 23. That is, when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to the right to cause the right turn signal lamp to flash, as time passes, as shown in Fig. 22, the LEDs are controlled so that only the left lighting display unit 6a is lit (Fig. 22(a)), only the central lighting display unit 6b is lit (Fig. 22(b)), only the right lighting display unit 6c is lit (Fig. 22(c)), and the left lighting display unit 6a, the central lighting display unit 6b, and the right lighting display unit 6c are all turned off (Fig. 22(f)), and the display is performed so that light flows (moves sequentially) from left to right.

In this case, when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to the left to flash the left turn signal lamp, as shown in FIG. 23, over time, only the right lighting display section 6c is lit (FIG. 23(a)), then only the central lighting display section 6b is lit (FIG. 23(b)), then only the left lighting display section 6a is lit (FIG. 23(c)), and then the left lighting display section 6a, the central lighting display section 6b, and the right lighting display section 6c are all turned off (FIG. 23(f)). The LEDs are controlled so that light flows (moves sequentially) from right to left.

Furthermore, when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to the left to cause the left turn signal lamp to flash, as shown in FIG. 22(a), only the left lighting display unit 6a is lit or flashed, and when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung to the right to cause the right turn signal lamp to flash, as shown in FIG. 22(c), only the right lighting display unit 6c is lit or flashed. In this case, when the hazard switch knob N8 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 22(b), only the central lighting display unit 6b is lit or flashed, or as shown in FIG. 21(c), all the turn signal display units 6 (the left lighting display unit 6a, the central lighting display unit 6b, and the right lighting display unit 6c) can be lit or flashed simultaneously.

However, when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung, in addition to turning on or flashing the turn signal display unit 6, the light emitting parts 7, 8 located on the periphery of the operating knob (N5 to N7) may be made to emit light in a predetermined color, or when the turn signal switch knob N11 is swung, in addition to turning on or flashing the turn signal display unit 6, the vibration means 5 may be vibrated, and the grip Ga may be vibrated via the handlebar H.

In this way, the switch case 2 houses the vibration means 5 capable of vibrating the handlebar H in addition to the turn signal display unit 6, and the vibration means 5 vibrates when the turn signal switch knob N11 is operated. If the vibration means 5 is capable of vibrating the grip Ga via the handlebar H, the grip Ga can be vibrated in addition to lighting the turn signal display unit 6, and the blinking operation of the turn signal lamp by the turn signal switch knob N11 can be reliably notified by light and vibration.

The switch knob is also provided with a light-emitting means capable of illuminating the light-emitting area formed along the periphery thereof, and the light-emitting means can illuminate the light-emitting area when the turn signal switch knob is operated. This means that the light-emitting areas (7, 8) formed along the periphery of the switch knob (operation knobs (N5-N7)) can be illuminated in addition to the turn signal display section 6, and the blinking operation of the turn signal lamp by the turn signal switch knob N11 can be more reliably notified.

According to the above embodiment, the switch case 2 houses the vibration means 5 capable of vibrating the handlebar H, and is also capable of vibrating the grips (Ga, Gb) via the handlebar H. This eliminates the need to provide the vibration means 5 on the grips (Ga, Gb), making it possible to easily route the wiring and perform maintenance while keeping manufacturing costs down.

In addition, the switch case 2 has fixing members (first mounting bracket 3 and second mounting bracket 4) that can be connected to the handlebar H to fix the switch case 2 to the handlebar H, and the vibration means 5 is capable of vibrating the fixing members. This means that the switch case 2 is fixed to the handlebar H via the fixing members, and even if an overload is applied when attaching the switch case 2 to the handlebar H, damage or deformation of the switch case 2 can be avoided, and the vibration of the vibration means 5 can be more reliably transmitted to the holding grips (Ga, Gb) via the fixing members.

Furthermore, the fixing member is made of mounting brackets (first mounting bracket 3 and second mounting bracket 4) having contact surfaces (3h, 4e) that can contact the outer peripheral surface of the handlebar H, so that the vibration of the vibration means 5 can be transmitted to the handlebar H and the grips (Ga, Gb) while suppressing damping by the mounting brackets. Note that although the fixing member in this embodiment is made of two mounting brackets, it may be made of a single mounting bracket or three or more mounting brackets.

Furthermore, the vibration means 5 varies the timing, strength, or pattern of vibration depending on the information to be notified to the driver, making it possible to notify according to the information. For example, it is preferable to use a vibration form that corresponds to the information, such as notifying safety-related information with a strong vibration and notifying other information with a weak vibration, or vibrating in a pattern that matches the ringtone when a smartphone receives an incoming call.

The switch cases (2, 2') on which the operating parts (operating knobs N1 to N13, operating parts Na, Nb) and the vibration means 5 are formed are attached to the left and right ends of the handlebar H, respectively, and the vibration means 5 is capable of selectively vibrating the right grip Ga and the left grip Gb of the handlebar H via the handlebar H, so that any information can be transmitted by selectively vibrating the right grip Ga and the left grip Gb.

Furthermore, the operating unit includes a turn signal switch knob N11 that can selectively blink either the left or right turn signal lamp of the vehicle, and the vibration means 5 vibrates the left grip Ga when the left turn signal lamp is blinked using the turn signal switch knob N11, and vibrates the right grip Gb when the right turn signal lamp is blinked using the turn signal switch knob N11. This makes it possible to notify the driver of the blinking of the turn signal lamp, and prevents the driver from forgetting to turn off the turn signal lamp.

In addition, according to this embodiment, the light emitting means (LEDs (L8, L9)) that emit light with different light colors or forms depending on the information to be notified to the driver is provided, so various information can be arbitrarily notified, and the layout freedom of the operation switch can be improved while preventing the switch case 2 from becoming too large. In particular, the light emitting means (LEDs (L8, L9)) can emit light from the light emitting parts (7, 8) formed along the periphery of the operation part (operation knobs (N5 to N7)), so various information can be arbitrarily notified by utilizing the periphery of the operation part, and the layout freedom of the operation switch can be further improved.

In addition, the light-emitting portions (7, 8) according to this embodiment are formed in multiple locations on the periphery of the operation unit (operation knob (N5-N7)), and the light-emitting means (LEDs (L8, L9)) are made up of multiple LEDs arranged corresponding to each of the light-emitting portions (7, 8). Since the multiple light-emitting portions (7, 8) can each emit light independently, any information can be notified at multiple light-emitting portions by utilizing the periphery of the operation unit (operation knob).

Furthermore, the light-emitting portions (7, 8) according to this embodiment are made of a specific portion of a single light guide 9 that can guide the light of the light-emitting means (LEDs (L8, L9)) to the periphery of the operation unit to emit light, so that the multiple light-emitting portions (7, 8) can emit light independently without increasing the number of parts. Furthermore, the light-emitting means (LEDs (L8, L9)) emits light to notify the driver of the state of the vehicle being driven by the driver, the state of other vehicles around the vehicle, or the state of personal belongings carried by the driver, so that various information that should be notified to the driver can be notified.

In addition, the switch case 2 according to this embodiment has a turn signal display unit 6 that lights up sequentially to the left when the left turn signal lamp is turned on and off using the turn signal switch knob N11, and lights up sequentially to the right when the right turn signal lamp is turned on and off using the turn signal switch knob N11, so that the turn signal lamp can be reliably visually confirmed when the turn signal switch knob N11 is used.

In particular, the turn signal display unit 6 has three or more lighting display units (in this embodiment, three lighting display units: the left lighting display unit 6a, the central lighting display unit 6b, and the right lighting display unit 6c) formed in the width direction of the switch case 2, and when the left turn signal lamp is operated to flash using the turn signal switch knob N11, the lighting display units light up in sequence from the right lighting display unit 6c to the left lighting display unit 6a, and when the right turn signal lamp is operated to flash using the turn signal switch knob N11, the lighting display units light up in sequence from the left lighting display unit 6a to the right lighting display unit 6c, so that the lighting display units can be lit in a flowing manner in response to the flashing turn signal lamp, making them more reliably visible.

The operating unit according to this embodiment also includes a hazard switch knob N8 that can blink both the left and right turn signal lamps of the vehicle, and all of the light display units (6a to 6c) are simultaneously lit or blinked when the hazard switch knob N8 is operated. This means that in addition to the blinking operation of the turn signal lamps using the turn signal switch knob N11, the blinking operation using the hazard switch knob N8 can be reliably seen.

Furthermore, the switch case 2 according to this embodiment contains, in addition to the turn signal display unit 6, a vibration means 5 capable of vibrating the handlebar H, and the vibration means 5 vibrates when the turn signal switch knob N11 is operated, and is capable of vibrating the grips (Ga, Gb) via the handlebar H. Therefore, in addition to lighting the turn signal display unit 6, the grips (Ga, Gb) can be vibrated, and the blinking operation of the turn signal lamp by the turn signal switch knob N11 can be reliably notified by light and vibration.

Furthermore, the operation unit according to this embodiment has a plurality of switch knobs (operation knobs N5 to N7 in this embodiment) that can be operated by the driver in addition to the turn signal switch knob N11, and is equipped with light-emitting means (LEDs (L8, L9)) that can illuminate the light-emitting areas (7, 8) formed along the periphery of the switch knobs (operation knobs N5 to N7). The light-emitting means (LEDs (L8, L9)) can illuminate the light-emitting areas (7, 8) on the condition that the turn signal switch knob N11 is operated. Therefore, in addition to the turn signal display unit 6, the light-emitting areas (7, 8) formed along the periphery of the switch knob can be illuminated, and the operation of blinking the turn signal lamp by the turn signal switch knob N11 can be more reliably notified.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be provided with a light emitting means that emits light in a different color or form depending on the information to be notified to the driver at a location other than the periphery of the operation unit (operation knob (N5 to N7)). Also, the present invention may not have the vibration means 5 or the turn signal display unit 6. Although the handlebar switch device according to the present embodiment is applied to a motorcycle, it may also be applied to other vehicles having a handlebar H.

As long as the handlebar switch device is equipped with a light-emitting means that emits light in different colors or forms depending on the information to be notified to the driver, it can also be applied to handlebar switch devices with different external shapes or with added functions.

1, 1' Handlebar switch device 2, 2' Switch case 2a Upper switch case 2b Lower switch case 3 First mounting bracket (fixing member)
3a Contact surface 3b, 3c Fixing hole 3d Pin insertion holes 3e to 3g Mounting hole 3h Abutment surface 4 Second mounting bracket (fixing member)
4a, 4b Fixing holes 4c, 4d Mounting hole 4e Contact surface 5 Vibration means 5a Mounting protrusion 5b Mounting hole 6 Turn signal display section 6a Left side lighting display section 6b Central lighting display section 6c Right side lighting display section 7 Light emitting section 8 Light emitting section 9 Light guide 9a First receiving section 9b Second receiving section 10 Control means 11 to 14 Boards N1 to N13 Operation knob (operation section)
N11 Turn signal switch knob L1 to L9 LED
L8, L9 Light emitting means P Fixing pin H Handle bar Ha Pin hole C Connector part

Claims (4)

a switch case fixed to a handlebar of a vehicle having a grip formed thereon;
an operating section attached to the switch case and capable of operating various electrical devices mounted on a vehicle;
A switch device for a handlebar, comprising:
A switch device for a handlebar, comprising: light-emitting means that emits light with different light colors or forms depending on information to be notified to a rider; the light-emitting means is capable of illuminating a light- emitting portion that is formed along the shape of the periphery of the operating unit; and the light-emitting portion is formed along the shape of the periphery spanning a plurality of the operating units . 2. The handlebar switch device according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting portion is formed in a plurality of light-emitting portions on a peripheral portion of the operating portion, the light-emitting means is composed of a plurality of LEDs respectively arranged corresponding to the respective light-emitting portions, and the plurality of light-emitting portions can be made to emit light independently. 3. The switch device for a handlebar according to claim 2 , wherein the light emitting portion is formed of a predetermined portion of a single light guiding body capable of guiding light from the light emitting means to a peripheral edge of the operating portion to emit light. The handlebar switch device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light-emitting means emits light to notify the driver of the state of the driver's own vehicle, the state of other vehicles surrounding the driver 's own vehicle, or the state of personal belongings carried by the driver.

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